Dave “Bookie” Bookman — a fixture and tastemaker of the Toronto and Canadian indie rock scene for decades — died shortly after midnight on May 21.

The Canadian Press reported Indie 88, the Toronto FM station where Bookman — who would have turned 59 on May 30 — most recently worked, confirmed his death, with general manager Megan Bingley saying the cause was a brain aneurysm.

Tributes poured in on social media Tuesday as people learned of the news.

Indie 88 radio personality and former colleague Josie Dye called Bookie a mentor and said he “was the last true personality on air” who “exuded knowledge, truth, opinions that mattered that had foundations in research and love for music.”

She described him as unpretentious and humble in his role promoting Toronto’s rock scene, never working hard to promote his own brand. Instead, he let his infectious and genuine enthusiasm in discovering great music win him a devoted following of listeners.

“Bookie was such a joy to listen to. You couldn’t help but have his boundless passion and true excitement for music rub off on you. Damnit,” said Newstalk1010 journalist Siobhan Morris on Twitter.

This sucks so much.

Bookie was such a joy to listen to. You couldn’t help but have his boundless passion and true excitement for music rub off on you. Damnit https://t.co/n8L7BpvU8K

Bookie, you were a gift to us all. Thanks for everything you offered to Canadian music and culture. You helped shape this community. We will remember you for your integrity, insightful opinions and GREAT taste in music. Much love and respect❤️ pic.twitter.com/QpfmlVIz31

Canadian band Arkells tweeted, “Bookie, you were a gift to us all. Thanks for everything you offered to Canadian music and culture. You helped shape this community, We will remember you for your integrity, insightful opinions and GREAT taste in music. Much love and respect.”

There are people who were put on this earth to love music, to help artists, to share their experience and knowledge. Dave “Bookie” Bookman was one of them. The city of Toronto – and Canada's – music scene wouldn't be the same without him, and he will be missed. pic.twitter.com/javKFx7G88

Because he was unabashedly himself, everyone remembered him. He left an indelible impression on you, more so in an industry where everyone is trying to be someone else. Bookie didn't give a shit. He didn't change, wouldn't change. Not even when you suggested maybe he should.

So very gutted.Bookie was unique, incomparable. He didn’t care for “cool” but character, talent & heart. He introduced the underdogs to the masses with his magical personality, passion & taste. A great man with a quick wit & brilliant mind. His heart was golden. Love you Bookie. https://t.co/6JSo9Z2azY

“He was an unlikely kind of character for what he was portrayed as being,” says Toronto’s 12:36 daily tabloid newsletter creator and writer Marc Weisblott, who knew Bookman for three decades.

“Based on the tweets, the articles recounting memories of him, a lot of suburban kids … they would hear him on the radio in their 905 bedrooms and think, ‘If only I could grow up to be as cool as that guy.’ He became that kind of celebrity in Toronto to the youth of the city.

“Because usually you would think it would be some strung out, grunge guy — emo kid kind of character on the radio for alternative music. By this point the guy is middle-aged but he managed to transmit a passion for all of this stuff.”

Bookman championed Billy Talent and other fledgling Canadian bands that would go on to fame and success.

Bookman moved from Ottawa to Toronto and started his career on campus radio in Ottawa, then at the University of Toronto’s campus station CIUT while also working at A&A Records.

“And the whole idea was it was a talk show, but a lot of the time it was just him talking — and it was this manic experience of him on the radio improvising over records blaring in the background, sort of fading in and out. It was an indication that all he wanted to do was figure out how to make a living out of this.”

Bookman ended up doing phoners for CFNY(102.1 the Edge) where he would call in to talk about life in the city and what bands would be playing that night.

His hustling paid off and he was brought on as a host and became the station’s “indie rock guy.” After getting let go from the Edge, he quickly found a new home at Indie 88.

Weisblott said he struggled to make a living as a music critic and commentator for years — even in his late 30s — and created a side gig as the organizer of what became a legendary no-cover music event at the Horseshoe Tavern called “Nu Music Nite,” where hot new bands like The Strokes would play free shows before reaching super-stardom. As the booker of Nu Music Nite, Bookie introduced indie rock fans to the latest cutting edge rock music before there was Spotify’s algorithm.

His zest for life and culture extended well beyond music. An enthusiast of all things pop culture, he found beauty and greatness in sports, soap operas, fast food, actors, etc. that he said he could “look like one of those oscillating fans!”

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